Loose-leaf binder.



L. M. MOREHOUSE.

LOOSE LEAF BINDER.

: APPLICATION FILED DEO.13, 1910.

997,634 Patented July 11, 1911.

I76. I I

I Wizmc/a/fs/ I $2. float/bud COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH C0 WASHINGTON, D. C

LEONARD M. MOREEOUSE, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY.

LOOSE-LEAF BINDER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 11, 11911.

Application filed December 13, 1910. Serial No. 597,175.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEONARD M. Monarronsn, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing in Newark, in the county of Essex and State of NewJersey, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Loose-LeafBinders, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to means for engaging the bars between which thesheets are compressed, and the object of the invention is to provide aneconomically manufactured device for automatically engaging the bars,which may be easily and quickly released to permit the separation of thebars for the insertion or removal of leaves, and having a great range orcapacity for the accommodation of large num ers of leaves.

Another important object is to provide and locate the engaging means insuch manner as to permit the outer faces of the bars to be smoothlyinclosed by binding material and free from projections or openings.

The invention consists in certain novel features, and details ofconstruction and arrangement by which the above objects are attained, tobe hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification and show theinvention as it has been carried out in practice.

Figure 1 is an elevation showing the rear portion of the improved binderand contained leaves. Fig. 2 is a transverse section through the coversand leaves, showing the engaging means in front elevation. Fig. 3 is acorresponding horizontal section. Fig. 4 is an end view of the upper barandits engaging member. Fig. 5 is a vertical section on the line 55 inthe preceding figure. Fig. 6 is an end view of the lower bar and itsengaging member. Fig. 7 is a vertical section on the line 77 in Fig. 6.Fig. 8 is a transverse section taken on the line 88 in Fig. 4.

Similar letters of reference indicate the same parts in all the figures.

A A are loose leaves slotted to engage telescopic posts A A secured tothe inner faces of the bars B, C; the slots and posts may be of theusual or any approved forms.

Both the bars B and C are bent or partially folded longitudinally toprovide flanges B and 0 adapted to overlap and form the back of thebinder. The bars are preferably thickened or built up on the outer facesby the addition of suitable filling strips, not shown, and are coveredwith l ather or other binding material which is continued to the coversB C and arranged to provide the usual hinges B C for the latter.

Attached to the inner face of the upper bar B at each end isahousing ofsheet metal comprising two legs D, D extending downwardly at a rightangle to the bar and joined at their lower ends by a connecting web DThe leg D is continued beyond the web and bent to form a hook or pawl DThe legs I) D may be secured to the bar in any desired manner; they areshown extended through openings in the bar and fastened by riveting orupsetting the protruding portions.

On the lower bar C at each end is an upwardly extending plate E havinglegs E, E similarly fastened, and provided on the rear edge with aseries of ratchet teeth E adapt ed for engagement with the pawl D Asufficient number of leaves being applied on the posts while the upperbar B and its connected parts are removed, the bar is replaced with itsportions of the posts engaged with those of the lower bar, and theplates E E received within the legs D D and web D and with the flange Bover.

lapping the flange C the upper bar is then firmly forced down,compressing the rear margins of the leaves, and the pawls Dautomatically engaged with the lowest attainable ratchet teeth. Thussecured the parts present the appearance shown in Fig. l in which theresistance or elasticity of the compressed leaves tend to tilt the barsrelatively to each other in the direction to maintain the engagement.

To release the bars pressure is applied by the thumbs of the operatorupon the leg D at each end of the bar B while the flange B is grasped bythe fingers and the pawls thus i forced out of engagement with theteeth. A lifting movement while thus conditioned separates the bars.

In order to maintain the plates E and their housings in alinement, andto prevent separation by lateral movements of the pawls and teethrelatively to each other, each leg D is provided with a lug D extendingpartially over the inner face of the plate E and forming with the web Da guide to prevent such movements.

It will be noted that the arrangement provides for a large increase inthe thickness, the capacity for additional leaves depending on thelength of the ratchets E and the location of the pawls.

The outer faces of the bars and their flanges are practically smooth andcontinuous, and when covered with binding material show unbrokensurfaces by which abrasion of the desk or other support is obviated.

As the ratchet mechanisms are conveniently presented outside the leavesand protected by the overhanging ends of the bars, openings in thelatter for screws or other forms of fastenings are unnecessary and thedamage to the binding material due to the operation of such fasteningmeans is avoided.

The openings in the plates and housings permit tongues of the bindingmaterial to be passed through between the legs of these parts and permita neat finish to be easily obtained.

The angle form of the bars insures the required rigidity, and theratchet plates and housings are easily formed by suitable dies. Thewhole ofiers an eminently simple, inexpensive, easily operated andeflicient binder.

I claim 1. In a'loose leaf binder, an upper and a lower bar adapted toreceive leaves between them, a ratchet at each end of one of said barsand housings for said ratchets at each end of the other bar, one memberof each housing extended to form a pawl for cooperation with theadjacent ratchet.

2. In a loose leaf binder, an upper and a lower bar adapted to receiveleaves between them, a ratchet at each end of one of said bars andhousings for said ratchets at each end of the other bar, one member ofeach housing extended to form a pawl for cooperation with the adjacentratchet, each bar being provided with a flange, said flanges arranged tooverlap and form the back of the binder.

3. In a loose leaf binder, an upper and a lower bar adapted to receiveleaves between them, a ratchet at each end of one of said bars, housingsfor said ratchets at each end. of the other bar, one member of eachhousing extended to form a pawl for cooperation with the adjacentratchet, each bar being provided with a flange, said flanges arranged tooverlap and form the back of the'binder, and telescopic posts on saidbars adapted to extend through the leaves.

l. In a loose leaf binder, upper and lower bars adapted to receiveleaves between them, a ratchet carried by one of said bars, and ahousing carried by the other bar and comprising substantially parallellegs with a connecting web, with one of the legs extended beyond the weband bent to form a hooked pawl for cooperation with said ratchet.

5. In a loose leaf binder, upper and lower bars adapted to receiveleaves between them, a ratchet carried by one ofsaid bars, a housingcarried by the other bar and comprising substantially parallel legs witha connecting web, one of said legs being extended.

toward the web to form a hooked pawl for cooperation with said ratchet,said ratchet adapted to slide in said housing, and an inwardly extendinglug on the housing forming with the web of the housing a guide toprevent lateral separation of the hook and ratchet teeth.

In testimony that I claim the invention above set forth I afiix mysignature, in presence of two witnesses.

LEONARD M. MOREHOUSE. Witnesses CHARLES R. SEARLE, WILLIAM J. BARRETT.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

